Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Nov. 18 6:33 4:19

Sat., Nov. 19 6:35 4:18

Sun., Nov. 20 6:36 4:17

Mon., Nov. 21 6:37 4:17

Tues., Nov. 22 6:38 4:16

Wed., Nov. 23 6:39 4:15

Thurs., Nov. 24 6:41 4:15

Fri., Nov. 25 6:42 4:14

After spending some time amid the glow of twilight in the evening during late summer and early fall and then shifting to dawn, Saturn is our morning planet. The ringed-planet rises in the southeastern sky well before the sun. On Tuesday morning, you’ll have no trouble finding Saturn. A thin crescent moon appears nearby.

There are three celestial objects rising in the east on that morning. The moon is but a sliver. Right next to it and to the left of the moon is the bright star Spica, the principal star in the zodiacal constellation Virgo. To the left of Spica, there is Saturn. The three form a less-than-perfect line, perhaps best described as an elongated triangle.

If you miss it on Tuesday, try again on Wednesday morning. The thin crescent moon will be well below the bright planet and star.

The red planet Mars has brightened since we saw it in the morning sky last summer. Mars rises in the eastern sky just before midnight. The planet is floating in the constellation Leo and is near the principal star Regulus, in Leo.

If you are up after midnight, when Mars is higher in the east, it is worth getting a view of this changing planet. Mars gets much brighter and easier to see in the months ahead.

M.A.L.